All posts by z3u9t.icu

We are now over two weeks into the transfer window and rather unsurprisingly, it has been a chaotic one for Newcastle United.

The reasons are clear; they are desperate for players to ensure Premier League survival and they are now famously known as the richest football club on earth.

What’s the word?

The Magpies have bolstered their squad with two marquee additions in recent weeks with Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood arriving.

However, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done, namely in bringing a centre-back to St James’ Park.

The club have failed in their efforts for Sven Botman while a deal is seemingly on the table for Diego Carlos.

It’s thought another striker is wanted by the club’s new Saudi owners and Newcastle’s recruitment team but a name who definitely won’t be joining has been revealed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

He issued the following update on Twitter: “Rumours linking Mario Balotelli with a move to Newcastle in January are wide of the mark. ‘Fake news’ – comment from sources.”

Fans will be delighted

Although the Toon Army will be desperately craving new acquisitions between now and January 31st, the idea of Balotelli penning terms is unlikely to have been welcomed well by the club’s fanbase.

Of course, he is a hugely experienced character and is also someone who would add plenty of humour and character to the dressing room.

However, with Howe’s men engulfed in a severe relegation battle, winning just one game all term, the last thing you’d want to do is sign someone as controversial as Balotelli.

After all, the Italian is not a regular goalscorer anymore and he’s also now aged 31, past the peak of his powers.

The former Manchester City forward currently plays his football in Turkey for Adana Demirspor where he has found the net on eight occasions this term.

That isn’t a bad tally at all, but the fiery striker has failed not once but twice in English football, enduring a controversy-hit spell at City and then bagging just four strikes in 28 outings for Liverpool.

Right now, Howe needs a player capable of hitting the ground running, either boasting successful Premier League experience or being a player with elite potential – like Sevilla centre-back, Carlos.

As a consequence, Newcastle are right to swerve a move for the ex-Italy international this month and as a result of doing so, the St James’ faithful should be rather delighted with the decision making of Nick Hammond and co.

AND in other news, “I’m told”: Craig Hope issues major NUFC transfer claim that’ll get fans excited…

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for former Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre by Portuguese journalist Alfonso Leocadio.

The Lowdown: Favre profiled

The 64-year-old has been out of work for almost 12 months and was heavily linked with the Crystal Palace job over the summer.

The Swiss manager, who plays a 3-4-2-1 system, has won five trophies during his career and has been described as ‘one of the best’ by Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Favre actually shares the same agency as Villa winger Bertrand Traore and has experience of managing in Switzerland, Germany and France, and it appears as if he is in Villa’s thoughts to possibly replace Dean Smith along with Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand, who has been linked along with Paulo Fonseca.

The Latest: Leocadio’s claim

Journalist Leocadio took to Twitter following Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Friday night, claiming that there is lots of ‘tension’ in the Midlands amid reported doubts over Smith’s position.

One fan responded to his tweet, asking if there are any other targets in mind alongside Fonseca, with whom Villa have reportedly made contact. Leocadio simply replied: ‘Lucien Favre’.

The Verdict: Favre or Fonseca?

Should Villa part ways with Smith over the coming weeks, they may well end up looking at two managers who play the same formation.

Both Favre and Fonseca like to use a 3-4-2-1 system, but the latter is 16 years Favre’s junior, which could come into play if Villa are looking to the long-term future.

The 48-year-old has also managed in three different countries and has actually won more trophies than Favre, so it would be interesting to see which manager they’d prefer out of the two if Smith is given his P45.

In other news: ‘How?’, ‘God help us’ – Some Villa fans ‘baffled’ by confirmed player news

If West Ham United sign a striker this January, then there’s a “strong chance” it’ll be Adam Hlozek…

What’s the word?

That’s according to ExWHUemployee, who delivered an exciting claim ahead of the winter transfer window to his ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast this week.

“Daniel Kretinsky is a 40% shareholder at Sparta Prague. They’ve got a forward called Hlozek and he’s highly rated,” he said.

“There is a strong chance the striker signing could be him.”

A desperate need

This ties in well with recent developments around the London Stadium after Kretinsky’s investment was officially confirmed by the club on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old Czech supremo, who is co-owner of Sparta Prague, purchased a minority stake of 27% in the Irons – a move that sees him have more of a say than David Gold, though David Sullivan remains the majority shareholder.

Late last month, claims from the Telegraph suggested that Kretinsky was going to propose a partnership between the east Londoners and the Czech outfit as a potential player development line, having already signed three players in Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek and Alex Kral in recent times.

Adding a striker to David Moyes’ squad could be the missing piece of the puzzle this season as the Scotsman only has Michail Antonio, 31, available at his disposal and his injury woes since arriving at the Hammers are no secret.

The West Ham boss needs strength in depth, particularly up front, as he has the club competing on all fronts this campaign – they sit third in the Premier League, have advanced into the Europa League knockout stages and have the Carabao and FA Cup to still to play for, too.

If Antonio faces time out, he could seriously scupper the Irons’ progress, as their in-form top goalscorer is so crucial to their fortunes.

Hlozek is an intriguing and exciting young striker who could support the veteran talisman and this new relationship will certainly help smooth any dealings in January.

The 19-year-old has scored four goals and provided eight assists in 20 appearances this season, building on last season’s tally of 15 goals and nine assists, where he averaged a direct contribution every 75.9 minutes, as per Transfermarkt.

Pavel Paska, who is the agent of both Hlozek and Soucek, believes his client is an “extraordinary talent” who “has everything an attacker needs” – and going by that record, its hard to disagree, so Moyes would be getting a very fine future star on his hands.

Ex’s suggestion that there’s a strong chance that he could sign should be a major source of encouragement for many around the London Stadium.

AND in other news, Alasdair Gold reveals exciting behind-the-scenes Antonio Conte claim…

Given Newcastle’s very poor start to the season, it’s safe to say that they could do with something to help them get their campaign on track and lift them out of the relegation zone.

However, it seems as though the new owners at the Tyneside club may have identified someone who could help to get the team out of their current predicament.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Goal in Brazil (via Sport Witness) that Newcastle have entered the race to sign FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral and are preparing an offer to be sent in the coming days.

Cabral originally joined Basel back in the 2019 summer transfer window on loan from Brazilian club Palmeiras before signing on a permanent basis a year later.

Overall, the 23-year-old – who is currently valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt – has netted an impressive 63 goals in 101 appearances across all competitions, with 25 of those coming this season in just 26 appearances, which is probably why Newcastle apparently have their eye on him.

Having described himself as a “fighting” player on the pitch, Cabral could be just what Newcastle need to keep them away from the relegation zone with his clear attacking talents in front of goal.

In addition to his goals, Cabral has averaged 4.1 shots and 1.3 key passes per game in the Swiss league so far this season, which is much higher than Callum Wilson’s average of 2.3 shots per game in the Premier League prior to their match against Burnley on Saturday.

Looking ahead to the January transfer window and the teams that Newcastle face in the league before the window opens, it should be the club’s main priority to sign Cabral in January to see if he can form a deadly strike partnership with the prolific Wilson and score enough goals between them to transform Howe’s side.

Also, given his fairly young age, he could well be a long-term replacement for Wilson further down the line, with the Englishman six years older than Cabral.

In other news: PIF must seal dream NUFC move for “exceptional” 114-goal magician who Howe would love…

Many Sheffield Wednesday fans are fuming with defender Julian Borner following his performance in the match against Reading.

The two sides are at opposite ends of the table and it was easy to see why, with Reading battling for promotion and the Owls in a relegation dogfight.

Borner didn’t help out new manager Darren Moore as he got sent off in the 29th minute (SofaScore), giving away a penalty completely unnecessarily. The Royals scored from the spot, as one fan called the defender’s blunder ‘absolutely shambolic’.

With the Owls already six points from safety before the game, it is understandable to see the fan base so frustrated. His performance before getting sent off was not good and the red card summed up his display. The centre-back lost both of the two ground duels he attempted, and lost possession four times (SofaScore).

It also means that the club will be without a defensive option through his suspension, and it will most likely not be just the fans who will be infuriated by the 30 year-old, but also the new manager as well.

Here is how Wednesday fans reacted:

“Borner off poor play from him. Yet again indiscipline from Wednesday #swfc”

Credit: @wobblywoz

“Borner is a shocking, shocking defender”

Credit: @Elliott51084

“Borner absolutely shambolic, first this mistake then the clear foul for the pen. Why god why do we have these players”

Credit: @EagleJagOwl

“Why did borner do that!!! Complete idiot!”

Credit: @OvO_2017

“Could you make any more mistakes in one play Borner? And tearing the shirt too? Ship him out!”

Credit: @ChurwellOwl

“Absolutely pitiful. Makes the mistake then compounds the mistake with that. They should stop his wages until he plays again”

Credit: @nigel_short

In other news, fans reacted to an update on this ace!

Liverpool fans have been reacting to Steven Gerrard’s comments regarding him replacing Jurgen Klopp as Reds manager, with the midfield legend playing down the claims.

Klopp is going through an extremely tough period in the Anfield hot-seat, overseeing six Premier League defeats in a row at home.

It is an unprecedented situation for the German, who has been such a magnificent manager for Liverpool, winning the Champions League and Premier League.

Meanwhile, Gerrard has guided Rangers to Scottish Premiership glory, as he goes from strength to strength in his new career off the pitch.

Some reports have predictably linked the 40-year-old with replacing Klopp at Anfield, although the latter still very much has the backing of owners FSG, according to The Times’ Paul Joyce.

Gerrard has emphatically played down the idea of replacing Klopp, though, telling ITV that Liverpool supporters don’t want him taking over.

Liverpool fans react to Gerrard comments

Here’s what some Reds supporters had to say on Twitter.

“What a guy”

Credit: @javad_anwar

“Nothing you can’t love about this guy”

Credit: @1CraigFisher

“Just love the way he says “WE””

Credit: @godwinj662

“I love this man beyond words”

Credit: @beamerrrrr

“My goat”

Credit: @kunmisconsult

“Of course we want you as our manager but not now cause WE still need Jurgen Klopp”

Credit: @hazimjhr

In other news: Report rules out Reds’ interest in centre-back

A Glasgow Rangers insider has now revealed some fresh transfer news on Alex Lowry.

The Lowdown: Reported talks

It has been reported that head of recruitment at Newcastle United, Steve Nickson, has met with Lowry’s agent in a hotel to discuss a potential move to St. James’ Park in the summer.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/rangers-news-3/” title=”Rangers news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

He has reportedly rejected a new three-and-a-half-year deal at Ibrox, which is set to expire in 2023.

The Latest: No contact

Taking to Twitter, Gers insider The 4th Official, who regularly breaks club news and updates, has now revealed a fresh twist on the situation, claiming that there has been ‘no contact’ from the Magpies with the club over Lowry, despite the reported meeting with his agent:

”Currently, Rangers have had no contact from Newcastle United, let alone a bid for the player.”

Expanding in his latest podcast, the insider has also revealed details of private ‘conversations’ that they have had with people inside the club, claiming that Lowry is ‘happy’ and ‘definitely not’ trying to force through a move away:

“I have had conversations with people inside Rangers & they tell me that Alex Lowry is happy here and definitely not trying to force a move.”

The Verdict: Hope

The latest update from The 4th Official certainly gives hope that Lowry will end up staying, and potentially sign a new long-term contract.

He is highly thought of at the Light Blues, having made four senior appearances already this season despite being just 18 years of age, drawing praise as ‘remarkable’ from former boss Graeme Murty.

It will be difficult to hold off the pressure if a Premier League giant like the Toon come calling, but Lowry is one for the future, and so the supporters should be able to see the best of him under Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

In other news, find out who GvB’s first summer signing could now be here!

West Brom will still be hurting from the embarrassment of Tuesday evening but Sam Allardyce’s men must put that behind them as they host Arsenal at the Hawthorns this evening.

The Baggies were thrashed 5-0 by Leeds United earlier this week, meaning the 66-year-old has picked up just one point from his opening three matches in charge.

A run of form that has also seen his side leak eight goals, so surely changes are afoot with Big Sam left reeling at his players.

Here’s the XI we’re predicting this evening…

There could be as many as four changes with the Gunners in town.

Big Sam was already without several key players going into the festive period, and now Kieran Gibbs has joined the likes of Hal Robson-Kanu, Kyle Bartley and Sam Field on the treatment table.

Lee Peltier replaced him last-minute against United, but his inexperience at this level is worrying, so we are expecting two-time PL winner Branislav Ivanovic to come back in with young Dara O’Shea moving across to left-back.

It means Sam Johnstone remains between the sticks with Semi Ajayi and Darnell Furlong also starting again.

Jake Livermore is still suspended, so Romaine Sawyers should continue in defensive midfield, even despite his own goal on Tuesday. Although, he could well be joined by rarely-seen 20-year-old midfielder Rekeem Harper.

He was an interesting inclusion on the bench in midweek, and he carries box-to-box characteristics that should be right up Allardyce’s street, though he’s only started four games in the past 18 months.

It can’t hurt to give him a run-out alongside Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher.

We may even see Matheus Pereira finally return to the starting XI as his creative influence is desperately needed. He’ll go in at right wing with Grady Diangana on the other flank.

Big Sam also has a massive call to make on misfiring summer signing Karlan Grant, he’s likely to be axed in favour of Charlie Austin this time around having failed to score in 11 of 12 starts now.

AND in other news, Ideye 2.0: Sam Allardyce must avoid “foolish” former player who “spat his dummy out” in Jan…

Surely sooner or later, the Spurs dugout will realise that Eric Dier just isn’t a central defender, right?

It has long been his preferred position and after playing the bulk of his career in North London in midfield, he was finally granted that wish towards the latter stages of the Mauricio Pochettino era.

Although, he’s enjoyed the bulk of his time at centre-back under Jose Mourinho, and now interim boss Ryan Mason.

Yet recurring defensive mistakes and errors have been the one defining theme in Tottenham’s miserable campaign. It cannot be a coincidence with Dier regularly featuring at the back.

“Don’t make me please speak too much about the defensive mistakes that we made,” an agitated Mourinho pleaded to reporters after their FA Cup defeat to Everton, where they leaked five goals. “Because that’s obvious, and I don’t feel very comfortable to be speaking about it.”

Dier may not have featured that day but he has been involved in similar outcomes – the three goals conceded against Liverpool, both Manchester clubs, Dinamo Zagreb and now Leeds United.

Mourinho clearly had doubts himself as he ended up using over 16 different defensive combinations before his fateful sacking, and there was a string of six successive games which saw him drop his first-choice, Dier, from the starting XI.

Interestingly, they lost just once in that run.

Dier was up to his old tricks once again on Saturday afternoon. He was graded an embarrassing 3/10 by football.london reporter Alasdair Gold and given the most scathing of reviews.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-latest-spurs-manager-update-gossip-transfer-rumours-daniel-levy-enic-mason-mourinho-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

‘A tough afternoon for the player up against Bamford and was at fault for his goal as he was caught watching the ball as the Leeds ace nipped ahead of him to net. Not a good game at all from the England international in front of Gareth Southgate.’

On top of his statue-like defending, it was his woeful headed clearance that saw the home side clinch all three points as it came straight back for an easy third.

Danny Mills, on commentary for talkSPORT, described it as a “defensive calamity” and that’s certainly one word to describe Dier being a regular in defence for the club.

Many can lambast the performances of say, a Sergio Reguilon, who just has not looked the same since his injury but it is leaders like Dier that need to step up and be counted – he’s just not doing that. If anything, he is holding Spurs back when playing centre-back.

The £26m-rated star has attracted interest from Mourinho’s new club, AS Roma, this week, according to The Sun – to quote Albert Einstein, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”

By all means, if Mourinho wants that major problem to follow him to the Italian capital, then Daniel Levy ought to consider a fair price.

It’s time for Mason to do himself, and the club, a huge favour. He must be ruthless and axe the £85k-per-week liability from his starting XI in the final few games of the season.

AND in other news,Levy could find his next Poch in 45 y/o who left “a lasting impression” on Spurs squad…

Plenty of Aston Villa fans have been reacting to Dean Smith’s comments regarding European qualification on social media.

Villa have enjoyed a solid season in the Premier League and have flirted with Europe on several occasions throughout the current campaign. Smith’s side currently sit in 11th place on 48 points ahead of the meeting with Manchester United this afternoon, but three points today could see them end the weekend in ninth.

It seems as if the Villa manager has his eye on bringing European football back to Villa Park, though, admitting that the club ‘need to start challenging’ for that coveted prize.

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the clash with Manchester United, Smith said:

“Qualifying for Europe is the aim for the football club. The vision of the owners is to develop players and grow the value and the brand of Aston Villa Football Club across the world. We need to start challenging.”

Villa fans react

@villareport shared those comments on social media on Twitter, which unsurprisingly received plenty of interaction from a number of Villa supporters.

Here’s what some had to say in reply, with one making reference to youngster Carney Chukwuemeka, who has recently been linked with a move away, and another labelling them as ‘exciting’.

“No way we let Chukwuemeka leave now”Credit: @MazeSZN”Exciting times again as a Villa fan isn’t it”Credit: @will_avfc”The club starting to show the ambition that’s been missing over the last 10-15 years”Credit: @TheVillaHome”Can’t wait for the transfer window to open and see how serious the owners are. Could be a very exciting/interesting transfer window for us “Credit: @PeteVillan1981″Next year is our year”Credit: @mylokieran”Need to taste those European night atmosphere’s like Ajax again”Credit: @HoItender

In other news: Villa leapfrog PL rival in race to sign defender; source claims he’s visited the club, find out more here.